People Are Guilty, Things Are Innocent

No, Jiang Peihuan could only belong to him. Only then could he control the Jiang family. As he thought about the Jiang family, Xiao Junhao's expression returned to normal. "Go and prepare some valuable medicinal herbs to send to the General's Estate. Also, prepare some exquisite jewelry.

"Yes."

Pei Wu had been by Xiao Junhao's side for many years and could understand his thoughts just by observing his expression.

"I'll prepare everything right away. I believe Miss Jiang will be delighted to receive these gifts."

"Go, and deliver them personally. Say it's a token of my affection."

Hearing Pei Wu's words, Xiao Junhao's eyes flashed with pride.

Jiang Peihuan had always favored him. She might have rejected his invitation, resenting him for ignoring her for so long.

With these gifts, her anger would subside.

The master and servant of the King Qing Mansion believed these gifts would make Jiang Peihuan feel grateful. However, when the gifts arrived at the Jiang Mansion, her eyes were filled with coldness and mockery.

It seemed that Xiao Junhao was genuinely panicking, even going so far as to send these items.

But when she saw the jewelry, the mockery in Jiang Peihuan's eyes deepened. She had joined her father in battle at fourteen and never cared for finery, so all these gift was nothing more than a calculated move

"Miss, Pei Wu is still outside. Would you like to see him?"

Seeing that Jiang Peihuan hadn't spoken for some time, Cui Er couldn't help but ask.

"Tell him to leave."

"Yes."

"Guard Pei, please return. My young lady isn't feeling well and cannot receive guests."

Next, Yue Er's emotionless voice was heard from outside the door.

Pei Wu glanced at the closed door, his eyes revealing anger. He inwardly cursed Jiang Peihuan for not recognizing kindness, but considering he was at the Jiang family residence, he stiffly said, "In that case, I won't disturb the Eldest Miss's rest."

"Miss, what should we do with these items?"

After sending Pei Wu away, Yue Er returned to the room.

"Keep the herbs and sell the jewelry for money. Starting tomorrow, let's to the city outskirts and serve the porridge to the citizens."

People may be guilty, and things are innocent. However, she didn't want to keep anything related to Xiao Junhao. Therefore, using it for charity was perfect.

"Miss, since we are going to give out porridge outside the city, then our Plum Garden needs to find two servant girls. Otherwise, it will be too much work for me and Cui Er."

"There's no need for two people. Just one person is enough. Go and see if there's anyone suitable."

In her previous life, she only had Yue Er and Cui Er by her side, but both of them died tragically in the end. In this life, she didn't want to have too many people by her side, but adding one more person was fine.

King Cheng's Palace.

The man dressed in white was focused on the information in his hand. The content was none other than Jiang Peihuan's life. For some reason, when he thought of her, he wanted to know everything about her.

It was a thick stack of papers, but Xiao Nanye quickly finished reading it. The more he understood, the more interested he was in the girl.

Han Feng casually leaned against the bookshelf at the side. Seeing his master's serious expression, he suddenly became interested. "Master, why are you so concerned about the eldest daughter of the Jiang family? Could it be that the rumors are true? That Miss Jiang intentionally seduced you, causing you to fall for her at first sight?"

"Where did you hear all this from?"

Xiao Nanye carefully put away the documents and coldly looked at his guard.

"Do I even need to ask? Rumors are circulating everywhere that Miss Jiang deliberately fell into the water to reel you in."

"Have these rumors already spread?"

"Indeed, even the servants in our palace are discussing it privately."

"Really?"

Hearing Han Feng's words, Xiao Nanye casually leaned back and tapped the table with his long fingers.

"Master, aren't you angry?"

"Why should I be angry?"

Han Feng was at a loss for words.

Others might not know, but how could he not? His master despised women the most. Why were there such rumors now? Not only was he not angry, but he also seemed somewhat pleased.

Could it be…

Han Feng's eyes suddenly widened, and he looked at Xiao Nanye excitedly. Catching sight of his secret guard's strange and thrilled expression, Xiao Nanye coldly glanced at Han Feng and spoke in a deep voice, "Do you believe I'll gouge out your eyeballs and feed them to the dogs?"

"Master, if you gouge out my eyes, no one will help you gather information on Miss Jiang."

"Go and call Ye Xiao."

"Yes."

Seeing that Xiao Nanye was discussing serious matters, Han Feng quickly straightened up. A moment later, a woman dressed in black entered Xiao Nanye's study. She had a delicate appearance but radiated a chilly aura.

"Master, you were looking for me."

Upon seeing Xiao Nanye, Ye Xiao knelt and bowed.

"I want you to go to the Jiang family and protect their eldest daughter."

"Yes, as your command."

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye's words, Ye Xiao's eyes revealed a hint of doubt, but the rules of the secret guards prompted her to nod immediately.

The next morning.

Before daybreak, Jiang Peihuan had already practiced her whip for two hours. As she prepared to return to her room, she heard Yue Er's voice, "All of you wait here."

"Miss, why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

Upon seeing Jiang Peihuan, Yue Er hurried over and asked.

"I couldn't sleep." After responding, Jiang Peihuan turned and noticed the three people standing there.

All three were dressed in green cotton clothes, but Jiang Peihuan's gaze was inevitably drawn to Ye Xiao.

"Miss, I've chosen these three people. Which one would you like to keep?"

"What's your name?"

Jiang Peihuan approached Ye Xiao and asked softly.

"This servant's name is Ye Xiao. Please…"

Before Ye Xiao could finish, Jiang Peihuan's whip flew towards her. Instantly, Ye Xiao's aura changed. She exchanged blows with Jiang Peihuan, barehanded. After a short while, she managed to grasp Jiang Peihuan's whip.

"How dare you attack the young miss?"

Yue Er, having been by Jiang Peihuan's side for years, had some martial arts skills but was only slightly stronger than an average person. Ye Xiao, however, was clearly a professional.

After scolding Ye Xiao, Yue Er knelt before Jiang Peihuan. "Miss, I'm at fault for not realizing she was skilled in martial arts. Please punish me."

"Stand up first."

Jiang Peihuan glanced at Yue Er indifferently before approaching Ye Xiao, who was already kneeling.

Ye Xiao was already kneeling on the ground.

"I wasn't aware the Jiang family had such a remarkable maid."

Jiang Peihuan's voice was faint but carried a chill when it reached Ye Xiao's ears. It felt similar to her master's aura.

"Tell me, who sent you?"

Jiang Peihuan sat down on the chair Yue Er had brought and asked coldly.

"Eldest Young Lady, please forgive me. I was only following orders."

"Whose orders?"

"His Highness, King Cheng."